57 Plate TDI170 S-LINE NOT HAPPY (HELP)

it was mine from brand new at the end of November 2007. 57 Plate ...
It was bought from Aberdeen Audi (Specialist Cars Audi Aberdeen)

.....It is heavily spec'd from new (As per sig).... and having a whole heap of issues with it .. After some advice as to what I can actually do about this ... As the car has now done 4000 Miles ( Hence the Diesel - The Mileage) As I spend most of the day on the road! Going between different offices and different locations.....

Surely im not alone with some of these problems..... HELP!!!!

A3 TDI 170 S LINE.....

A) Starting Issue: Occasionally on a Morning Start/Cold Start the car refuses to turn over on first crank of the key - and splutters and doesnt kick into life.... Dealer Couldnt get this to replicate - so Deemed it "Must be in your head sir".... Its been into the dealers twice for this - as it is very very annoying on a brand new car.
I know with all TDI Engines nowadays you dont have to wait for the glow plug light to go out before you crank - but force of habbit I do this as part of the starting ritual - as Ive been driving diesels since I passed my test!
- I wish I could get it do this at the dealers as they are going to start to me soon

B) Auto Wipers: Come on when they feel like it - Rain or shine.... Worried about them scratching the windscreen when there is nothing on it! When it pores with rain at night they dont come on and you have to land up manually turning them on and off to do an intermitant wipe....

Again - Dealer Says - We 'Tested' These sir and there was no problem.... Yet amazingly when I tip a watering can or a hose pipe over my windscreen they work.... its the general drive they are not functioning properly.....

Any IDEAS?????????

C) Drivers Door: Has dropped somehow.... So when you close it - you have to lift it up to get it to close properly, other wise it doesnt close.... It has only just started doing this, and you can feel the door physically drop when you open it

D) One Touch Windows: The Passenger Window has a mind of its own... When you put it up it goes all the way back down itself.... and the drivers window - the one touch will work one minute and the next it turns itself off..... and you have to keep your finger on the button. It has been into dealers for this - and the Fix 'Sir we have lubed up your door seals, and re-set the one touch windows'....... ? I dont think this appears to have solved the issue has it???

E) Bonnet out of alignment: Was Washing the car today, and noticed there is more of a gap at the front of the car at one side, than there is the other, where there is a slight overhang where the bonnet stops, and the bumper at the front goes underneath.... Poor Workmanship from Audi!!! I will be getthing them to look at this too- as when you look at it - the bonnet is actually sitting higher at one side than it is the other.

F) The Hardest to believe of all - The Dash pod (Speedo/Rev Counter etc) has a scratch on the INSIDE (YES YOU READ RIGHT - ON THE INDSIDE) Of the plastic: The dealer has promised to replace this - and the day I collected the car I didnt notice this (Was reported to the dealer within the first couple of days of having it)- as it is really difficult to spot - but when the sun shines in the car you can see it - and from a car that cost 20k+ brand new - you dont expect that!!!! The dealer has promised and promised to order the parts after an argument with Audi (what difference this makes- as it is a manufacturing issue seen as its actually scratched on the Inside- Because the car has done more than 1000kms.... (And in English not very many Miles) lol! Anyways - The Work for this is getting done on the 6th of Feb.... so Im going to line myself up for a heap of Creaks and rattles now my brand new car is basically being disected to put in the new Dash pod!

=============================================================SOME PICS I TOOK OF THE CAR THE OTHER DAY IN INVERGORDON (NORTH OF INVERNESS)

If you are not happy with the response from your dealer, I would try another dealer and see what they say before taking it any further. It's obviously best if you cam demonstrate the problem. For example with the auto-wipers, they can be a bit slow to react some times, but get them to spray water onto the screen from a hose. All dealers have wash bays.

I've found auto wipers are **** and unpredictable, no matter what car they are on. I much prefer to operate them manually - I don't like leaving something that important to a function that never works the instant you need it most. Try some rain-X, then you'll never need to use the wipers again .

I hope you get the issues sorted, like the other guys say if you are not happy you can take the car to any other dealer.

I think there is a dealer in inverness, IIRC they have been rated highly on here...

May be advisable to keep a diary of when the faults occur and when it goes for repair which can be presented as eviidence to the dealer /Audi uk, if the problems do not get sorted by either of the aforementioned after having been given sufficient opportunity, reject the car.

May be advisable to keep a diary of when the faults occur and when it goes for repair which can be presented as eviidence to the dealer /Audi uk, if the problems do not get sorted by either of the aforementioned after having been given sufficient opportunity, reject the car.

Mark

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top tip this - its really well worth doing in case you need to take things further

If you are not happy with the response from your dealer, I would try another dealer and see what they say before taking it any further. It's obviously best if you cam demonstrate the problem. For example with the auto-wipers, they can be a bit slow to react some times, but get them to spray water onto the screen from a hose. All dealers have wash bays.

I've found auto wipers are **** and unpredictable, no matter what car they are on. I much prefer to operate them manually - I don't like leaving something that important to a function that never works the instant you need it most. Try some rain-X, then you'll never need to use the wipers again .

I hope you get the issues sorted, like the other guys say if you are not happy you can take the car to any other dealer.

I think there is a dealer in inverness, IIRC they have been rated highly on here...

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I had a 2006 Focus ST before the A3.... and It has Auto Wipers... and they were spot on..... The A3's practically need a lorry to come past and tip water on you before they come on..... then randomly they come on when its the sunniest of days....

Also...
The Same Inverness Dealer - whom I asked to price me up a car when I was in his area - and never even bothered calling me!!!! Nice -if their service is like their Sales - I will be avoiding them!!!

If the car wasn't brand new, I would say crash damage and a shoddy repair - bonnet out of alignment, door dropped, poor sensitivity on wipers - all racks up to a front ender in my eyes - but then, if the car is new then this can't be the case......or could it?

I pick up my new A3 TDI 170 S-Line Quattro 2 weeks today and I'm starting to think I shouldn't

Should I keep my 330cd? The auto wipers are spot on and it has no problems whatsoever. This may turn out to be one of the biggest mistakes of my motoring life! I'm already going to have to suffer the fact that the A3 doesn't handle or go anywhere near as well as the beemer!

I've had the one-touch problem a couple of times, the window controller thinks there is something in the way so reverses the direction and disables the one-touch.

If you put the window up and hold the switch in the 'up' position for a couple of seconds it re-enables the one-touch. Still annoying though, maybe the door seals are too tight when the window is closing? I'll wait and see if mine stops doing it as the seals loosen with age.

I find the auto-wipers generally good but a bit slow-witted at times. This is most noticeable at night when they don't always clear the screen quick enough - it's like they need a higher sensitiviy setting. I don't get the problem with them wiping when it's not raining though.

You could try writing a letter to the dealer principle or Audi Customer Services if your dealer won't play ball.

With regard to your starting issue, mine is sometimes like that too.
It'll turn over and over, then stutter into life with a burst of greyish smoke.
Specialist cars Aberdeen reported no fault.
They also reported no fault for the very loud squeaking noise you get when you turn the car over (starter motor?)
Everyone else can hear it, they can't.
TBH, I don't report 'minor' faults now, because I feel it's a bit of a waste of time.

mine had this too. Audi assist said there was an air leak in the fuel syste, so rather than maintaing a pressure and keeping the fuel pushed up to the manifold it drained back to the tank.
Audi dealer said no fault found...

I have been lucky so far, my April 07 S3 has absolutly no problems at all. No doors drooping, nothing... Only thing is that my Xenons do seem to be a bit low, not illuminating a lot but to be honest have not been bothered to go to the garage yet... (I have a spare set of Xenons... mine is a lefthand drive UK reg car so Highland Audi had to change xenons so I have a Euro-spec as spares...lolol)

Anyway, the S3 being my first Audi I can't really complain and I am happy with the car and costumer care as well, but as someone said, good and bad ones everywhere...

FOR SALE: S3 Phantom Black, left hand drive, Xenons, FBMFSW, bucket seats, BOSE, rear parking sensors, armrest, interior light package, Symphony II+. Full Audi service history and 4 new Michelin Pilot Sport 2. 18500 miles PM for details! I want to give it away have a good family reason. For a quick sale around £19.5k PM only if interest is genuine! Thanks

With regard to your starting issue, mine is sometimes like that too.
It'll turn over and over, then stutter into life with a burst of greyish smoke.
Specialist cars Aberdeen reported no fault.
They also reported no fault for the very loud squeaking noise you get when you turn the car over (starter motor?)
Everyone else can hear it, they can't.
TBH, I don't report 'minor' faults now, because I feel it's a bit of a waste of time.

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This is Very interesting - on some occasions Exactly How I report it....

Way I see it - Ive got a 2003 MG ZR With Nothing wrong with it what so ever!!!!! It cost £3500.... As a run about ..... and The Audi Cost Over 7 Times that.... and Ive had nothing but problems from a brand new car.....

Aberdeen Audi Taking the Car away today, will see what the outcome is....

I pick up my new A3 TDI 170 S-Line Quattro 2 weeks today and I'm starting to think I shouldn't

Should I keep my 330cd? The auto wipers are spot on and it has no problems whatsoever. This may turn out to be one of the biggest mistakes of my motoring life! I'm already going to have to suffer the fact that the A3 doesn't handle or go anywhere near as well as the beemer!

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what an odd post

ETA - to the OP, find out the regional manager's email address and send them a mail listing your issues, copy it to the dealer principal and sales manager if you aren't happy. Don't bother with customer service - speak to the organ grinder.

Just a couple of points - my TDI won't every time if I don't wait for the plugs to get hot and the wipers also turn on every now and again even if it doesn't rain, due to debris hitting the windscreen where the sensor is located above the rear view mirror

seem to be a lot of chat about Aberdeen Audi. I have just bought ym A3 and asked for them to retro fit my cruise control - refused claiming it was a warranty issue. Edinburgh Audi say new program in place to stop problems and will fit it and cover me on hte warranty - seems like Aberdeen dont seem to know much.

Garage phoned me yesterday to say a part was on overnight order after them going to Audi Germany to try find out what the problem was with my Electric windows and starting Problems......

The Fix Audi have given them - is to replace the Electric window Control Modules... And guess what I think its going to cure the starting issues.... Looks like the Window Module Is dead... Hmmm... Is this causing the starting issue
They have re-aligned the door.... All fine now.....

Have you considered rejecting the car altogether as being of unsatisfactory quality, and not fit for purpose? I certainly would, and I think you'll find the consumer protection legislation on sale and/or supply of goods and services is rather more robust in Scotland than it is in England.

With all those problems I would reject the car if it is still possible... it seems you have a lemon in hands with so little mileage and all those problems I can only think how the car will be with 30k....

Concerning Highland Audi, I can only praise the sales team, at least Simon, never serviced the car there so can't say about the rest...

Best of luck with your motor! But sometimes one thinks where has the money we paid gone..... 4 rings don't mean anything that is what I think.

Pedro

FOR SALE: S3 Phantom Black, left hand drive, Xenons, FBMFSW, bucket seats, BOSE, rear parking sensors, armrest, interior light package, Symphony II+. Full Audi service history and 4 new Michelin Pilot Sport 2. 18500 miles PM for details! I want to give it away have a good family reason. For a quick sale around £19.5k PM only if interest is genuine! Thanks

Its not a quick process and you need to start as soon as possible other wise the car will lose alot more money the longer it takes(you will get current value of the car back not the price you paid or they may do a deal on another car). Phone your local trading standards office and they will tell you what you need to do. I would think first you will need to write a letter to your dealer giving them a timeframe to fix the car. If they dont you will have to prove the car has the faults you say to build a case for rejection.

Have you tried leaving the car with the dealer overnight but keeping the keys to be sure they don't move it around. I've done this with Aberdeen Audi when I was tried to replicate my clutch judder problem. You just have to be back early the following day to demonstrate the issue to one of their techs

As for the auto wipers, no idea. Our two previous cars (Bora and 406) had them and they were great. Can't see the ones on the A3 being much different to the Bora's.

From my experience until something physically packs up or throws an error code the dealer will acknowledge nothing. Audi dealers aren't happy to do anything until the point where you are left stranded on the hard shoulder.

I feel for you mate - I am currently having an issue with drivetrain and nothing is getting sorted. Unless I find a decent dealership in the next 2 years I'll be heading elsewhere for my next car. Gutting.

Have you tried leaving the car with the dealer overnight but keeping the keys to be sure they don't move it around. I've done this with Aberdeen Audi when I was tried to replicate my clutch judder problem. You just have to be back early the following day to demonstrate the issue to one of their techs

As for the auto wipers, no idea. Our two previous cars (Bora and 406) had them and they were great. Can't see the ones on the A3 being much different to the Bora's.

Bonnet and door should be an easy fix for their bodyshop.

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Ive tried leaving the car with them for weeks on end - they let the dust settle - thrash it round the block - and then leave it to sit for a couple of days - then pore a hose over it - and tell me there is no problem...

Auto Wipers are gash in the A3 - Ive had them in just about every car ive owned in the last 5 years.... and they really take the biscuit for being the worst!

I would refuse the car... you seem to have a "lemon"... problems seem only to get worse over time... get rid of it as quick as you can... my advice. I know I would!!

Pedro

FOR SALE: S3 Phantom Black, left hand drive, Xenons, FBMFSW, bucket seats, BOSE, rear parking sensors, armrest, interior light package, Symphony II+. Full Audi service history and 4 new Michelin Pilot Sport 2. 18500 miles PM for details! I want to give it away have a good family reason. For a quick sale around £19.5k PM only if interest is genuine! Thanks

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